Montenegro Marriage Registration A Complete Guide

Dobar dan, my friends! I’m Marko Petrović – Your Balkans legal guide. A foreign couple dreams of getting married along the breathtaking Adriatic coast of #Montenegro, or in one of our charming old towns. Everything can be made possible – in good time and with the right stamp of approval – as I love to express it – Strpljen-spašen, ali sa pravim pečatom or “with patience – but with the right seal“.

Getting married in Montenegro isn’t that straightforward. But with VOWLY by your side, we promise to give you a thorough rundown of the entire marriage registration process in a nutshell. If you read on, you’ll find out what papers you need, what an apostille is and exactly how long it’ll take from applying to receiving your marriage certificate, as well as any associated costs. Montenegrin dancing is a long process, which basically involves taking 10 steps back and one step forward while waving your arms and hopping from foot to foot. With this guide you’ll be much less lost in the bureaucratic red tape, and hopefully more able to enjoy the ride, too.

Understanding Civil Marriage in Montenegro

In Montenegro when we talk about getting married, we are usually talking about the civil wedding. So, the person who is the registrar, matičar, performs a marriage under the laws of the country of Montenegro. This is important to know, because the actual marriage in Montenegro isn’t considered to be the religious ceremony, but rather the civil ceremony. Thus, while many couples may want to have a church ceremony or a symbolic ceremony, the civil ceremony should be the one that occurs first, in order to legally be married.

Marriage in Montenegro – A Destination Wedding Resort Destination Wedding in Montenegro – Law and Regulations When it comes to marriage law in Montenegro, one could describe it as being very open and welcoming towards foreigners and non-residents. There is no mandatory requirement for a couple to be residing in Montenegro in order to get married. This is a deliberately created and maintained system in order to promote destination weddings and tourism. One can arrive in Montenegro as a tourist and get married here during their visit, which is a major benefit. However, there are certain restrictions and laws that are enforced in order to prevent marriages of convenience, which are illegal under Montenegrin law. Marriages that are arranged in order to further the immigration of one spouse are not permitted. The Montenegrin authorities inspect the relationships of all couples that intend to get married in order to determine whether the union is genuine and that the spouses can effectively communicate with one another and have built sufficient trust. While this process is by no means complicated for genuine couples, it is well worth being aware of the fact that the authorities are looking to ensure that any marriages that are entered into are of a legitimate nature. As your wedding planner in Montenegro, I act as a bridge that not only explains the rules and regulations of the marriage law in Montenegro but also helps to explain any cultural norms and expectations that may arise. I work hard to ensure that we respect the local culture of the beautiful country we are visiting, while at the same time helping to facilitate the celebration of your wedding day in the way that you would like it to be remembered.

Essential Documents for Foreign Nationals

Documentation is fundamental to any legal procedure. The preparation of adequate documentation is akin to the preparation of the stone for the building of a house in the traditional Montenegrin style. This means that each stone must be cut to size and precision. So, what documents does a foreign citizen need to marry in Montenegro? Generally, all municipalities here require the following set of original documents which have to be translated into the Montenegrin language and confirmed by the Court.

Here's what you will need to gather: Original birth certificate with court-sealed translation, but the international multilingual birth certificate that we can obtain in less than 6 weeks is a very common substitute.

• Certificate of Free Marital Status (Uverenje o bračnom stanju) The Certificate of Free Marital Status, also known as a Certificate of No Impediment, is a certificate that confirms that you are legally allowed to get married. This certificate cannot be older than 3 months when applying. It also needs a court-sworn translation. If your country of origin does not have a certificate like this (for example in the USA) you should get in contact with your consular department or embassy in Montenegro.
• Passport: Clear photocopy of your passport is required but the original will have to be shown. Same applies to witnesses. Clear photocopies of their IDs will be required but the originals have to be shown.
• Proof of Registered Stay (Boravište) – shows that you were lawfully in Montenegro when you arrived.

• Divorce Papers If you or your partner have ever been married and divorced, you may be asked to provide the original divorce decree as well as a court verified translation.

• Death Certificate of Previous Spouse In the case of a widowed applicant, the original death certificate of the deceased spouse should be submitted along with a court-sworn translation.
• Notice to Marry: This formally expresses your intention to marry.
• Proof of Administrative Fee Payment You should retain the receipt for the administrative fee as this will also be included in the documents to be submitted.

A frequent error is the age of the documents. Some Offices will not accept a Certificate of Free Marital Status which is more than 3 months old. Therefore it is essential to obtain the documents in sufficient time in order to be able to obtain an apostille and translation. Timing an olive harvest is a delicate task, if the olives are picked too early or too late they will not be of good quality. The documents that are required may differ, depending on whether it is the place of residence of the future spouses. It is therefore advisable to contact the Office of the Civil Registry of the municipality where you wish to get married in order to obtain exact information on the documents required.

Navigating the Apostille Procedure

So what is an apostille and how does it fit into all of this? Well an apostille is essentially stamped on to the front of your foreign public documents (such as your birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates) to confirm that they are legal in Montenegro. Without an apostille the document will essentially be nothing more than a piece of paper. Montenegro is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention, which is a treaty that enables the use of the apostille for authentication. Countries who are members of the convention agree to utilise the apostille for certain documents, and do away with consular legalisation.

Check if your home country is a part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Your Municipality should give you a link to the Hague status table for each country before you send anything. The Apostille is obtained from the issuing authority in your home country for your Birth Certificate, Certificate of No Impediment and any Divorce or Death Certificates. It’s worth doing it as the Right Stamp will make things so much easier. The right stamp isn’t just a formality, it’s salvation.

And don’t forget the reverse – getting an apostille for your Montenegrin Marriage Certificate in case you are planning to use your Montenegrin marriage certificate in your home country, or in any other Hague Convention country. Indeed, after months of preparation and a fantastic wedding ceremony in Montenegro, you and your partner will end up with the Montenegrin marriage certificate which is the formal proof of your married status. This certificate will however need an apostille if you intend to use it in your home country or in another country which is a member of the Hague Convention, because the Apostille will prove and certify that the certificate is legally valid and recognized in all the member states of the Convention. The formal channels are the only safe options.

Your Marriage Registration Timeline

Knowing the timeline of the procedures, and also knowing the best time to visit the sea, is equally important. It is important to bear in mind that every municipality in Montenegro has its own timing. It is worth knowing these in order not to cause unpleasantness in this very important situation.

Here’s a practical timeline to guide you: BEGIN PREVIEW 1 year before your move: 3-4 Months Out: Document Preparation You’ll want to order new (unexpired) birth certificates from your home country and your Certificate of Free Marital Status. You can now also request an apostille for this certificate. Get the documents translated to formal, certified Montenegrin. This will be one of the many mini-quests you embark upon over the coming years. It’s a good excuse to work on your coffee consumption. Many government buildings will also not accept a document that is over 3 months old, so this is a good reason to do it exactly 3-4 months out. 2. If your marriage documents have left the house, it is time to confirm your ceremony date and location with the registrar of the municipality where you plan to get married. You can also discuss any of your off-site ceremony ideas (such as a clifftop ceremony with a cliff top terrace and views of the ocean or an overwater ceremony with a seaside deck) with the registrar and ask if they can arrange for a traveling registrar and what the extra costs will be. 3. MINTO SE NE ŠTAVARA OD 15 Dana Pre Zaštite Ćeremonije Obaveze aplikaciju donijeti su minimum 15 dana prije zaštite Ćeremonije. Izloženo kao jedan od tvrdih čara, opće mišeone potvrđuju i vlasti u Palati Građanske uprave u čast Podgorači, kako na razgovorima, tako i kao tačka u postupcima u samim vlastima. U slučaju opšte-administrativnih tokova, dokumente koji treba pokupiti za 15 dan prije treba donijeti i lokalnim vlastima i na kraju će ćesto doznati da će im opština ili bilo kome u njenom sastavu precizirati tačka koje bi ili bivale nedopunjene. Od učinaka određujući za štavaru često će biti iskustvo kraće od vremena potrebnog svim rodbinama da riješe ishitrenim obrazloženjem sve vezane pitanje ili da naprave potvrdu da će všu napraviti kasnije. 4. Ceremony Day: The Big Moment Take with you your passports, a court interpreter if you can’t speak in Montenegrin and your witnesses. The state marriage certificate in Montenegrin will be issued directly from the municipality on the same day as the ceremony. Request that the municipality includes an international marriage certificate, multi-lingual version, which is usually valid in many countries without needing further authentication. Cheers to you, for being one of the few to be able to say they've survived Balkan bureaucracy successfully.

In the case of an extreme urgency situation – such as a visa expiring or an emergency – we are able to prepare a package known as the “Legal Express” which can facilitate the process of the official registration in no more than 5 working days from the date of arrival. This is a more expensive option and will require highly specialized coordination: from the most dedicated legal consultants to the most skilled wedding planners. We want to help you to achieve the impossible, to turn the impossible into the challenging.

Costs and Fees for Your Montenegrin Wedding

While Montenegro is generally considered a lovely and a tad more affordable alternative to, for example, Santorini or the Amalfi Coast for getting married abroad, it is also very important to understand the costs involved. You just need to think about pricing a good rakija and remember that you get what you pay for!

The primary administrative fee for the marriage ceremony itself is quite reasonable:

• The municipal ceremony in the Town Hall has an administrative fee of approximately €20.
• Ceremony in an other suitable place You have chosen to have your Ceremony at an “other suitable place” or away from the City / Town / Municipality where you and/or the wedding couple are registered. (Maybe you have a friend or relatives villa by the sea etc) Fees for a travelling registrar will be higher. For Podgorica municipality, the fee is €100 ( approx £85) and similar rates will apply in other municipalities / towns in Montenegro. The Registrar’s time and travel to any alternative venue will be charged to you.

In addition to the fixed administrative fees, you have to plan for a number of other costs:

• Court/Civil Interpreter Services If you and/or your partner do not speak Montenegrin, an interpreter for the courts will be needed to translate all of the formal documents as they are applied for and for your ceremony. Prices vary very significantly, dependent on the area, time of year and length of assignment but a certified court interpreter will be needed to ensure that the marriage is formally recognized. Documentation & Translation Fees Apostilles and Translations You should allow for these charges together with any courier time to verify the fees with the relevant authority in your home country. Apostille charge will be dependent on the Authority in your home country and the number of documents that require an apostille. Also, court sworn translation fees for Montenegrin are charges that will vary dependent upon length and complexity of documentation.
• Proof of Administrative Fee Although it may be considered an easy point to miss, proof of payment of the administrative fee must also be shown.

Generally speaking, Montenegro is still one of the cheapest options for a civil wedding abroad. Costs will depend on the location you choose, the number of guests and possibly on a wedding planner, etc. The costs for the official registration in Montenegro are also simple and transparent and as reasonable as possible.

Choosing Your Registry Office and Venue

One of the advantages of marrying in Montenegro as a foreigner is that you are allowed to get married in nearly any municipality (Opština) you choose. Because the marriage application and documentation can be done wherever you choose to get married, you are not restricted to living in some particular city. Montenegro’s varied landscape offers many different choices for getting married by the sea or at higher elevations.

The majority of registrars carry out ceremonies in their municipal offices but it is possible to ask them to come to an "other suitable place" (explaining what you mean by that will probably be necessary) and they may agree to do so for a fee. They are obviously going to be more likely to agree to travel to an alternative venue if it is local or at least not too far away but this opens up the whole range of possibilities across the country.

Some popular destinations mentioned in the research that offer incredible settings for civil ceremonies include:

• Kotor Old Town Beautiful Kotor Old Town, once the Venetian reign, has perfectly preserved elegant palaces, lovely stone squares and a stunning Bay View. Many couples marry in a Municipal room within the ancient walls of the Old Town and then ask for beautiful portraits around the old walls for their timeless legacy.
• Tivat & Porto Montenegro If you like a more modern feel and the ambiance of a marina yacht club, with decking that makes maintenance as low as possible and top class hotels within short reach of the registry, then you may like to look at Tivat and the wonderful new project at Porto Montenegro. Civil ceremonies in Perast can be conducted on the beautiful terraces overlooking the Bay of the city. The stunning Baroque architecture of the buildings that surround the bay are reflected in the calm waters. Symbolic religious ceremonies can also be performed in St. Ivan church or Our Lady of the Rocks, a church on a man-made island just a short boat ride from the shore. The Budva Riviera - A location filled with life and possibility Plenty of sea view hotels and beach platforms, ideal in case of a with an off shore traveling registrar *Please note: high season can be very busy!
• Lake Skadar & Wine Estates For a more relaxed, natural experience the Lake Skadar area or our wine estates are amazing spots. With breathtaking views of rolling vineyards that stretch to the mountains these locations look especially romantic during sunset. We have lots of experience with bringing interpreters, as well as setting up the necessary areas and equipment for the Registrar.

It is quite simple: I would recommend basing yourself in the municipality that you prefer, and then contact them directly to inquire about their transportation packages and charges. While venue websites and tour operators can be very informative, including details of venue coordinators, I would always recommend checking the details with the municipality themselves – dealing with official bodies can be annoying at times, but in this case it is the only sure way to get the correct information.

Practical Information Summary

Before you plan the trip to the Registry Office, here’s a short reminder about the procedure and some basic things to consider in order for your journey to the sacrament of marriage to be as smooth as the sea of the Adriatic on a windless day (patience and correct seal – Strpljen-spašen, ali sa pravim pečatom)

Here’s your step-by-step plan:

1. Pick your municipality Choose a municipality that you would like to get married in and find out what their requirements are, including whether they have a travelling registrar and what the fee is.
2. Order Fresh Documents As part of your emigration paperwork, you will also need to obtain new birth certificates and a Certificate of Free Marital Status from your doctor. These also need to be apostilled. Remember to also get your doctor to verify that all of your documents have not been issued more than 3 months prior to your departure.
3. Translate Documents: Have all foreign public documents translated into Montenegrin by court-sworn translator.
4. Book Interpreter and Witnesses If you don’t speak the Montenegrin language you have to hire the court interpreter for the books that need to be attested. Witnesses, two in number, also need their ID cards’ photocopies.
5. Apply for Marriage Licence and Submit Documents It is highly recommended that you start at least 15 days prior to your preferred date of the marriage ceremony. You must provide the original version, the translation into Spanish and the Apostille for each of the following documents: Provide your identification records. They must have been issued within the last five years. Ensure that the details provided on all your records are the same. You will undergo a three day verification process at the local City Hall office chosen to authorise your marriage.
6. Pay the Fee The administrative fee is as follows: in our office: 20€ in Podgorica, but outside our office: 100€ (similar fees apply in other cities and countries)
7. Get Married All you will need is your original valid passport, an interpreter and 2 witnesses. You will be asked to complete 3 forms – two for the registry and one for your official marriage certificate. Ask for 4/5 copies (each should be stamped as official and with the stamp of the registry) and enquire as to the necessity of an apostille for official use in other countries.

Here are a few tips and pitfalls to look out for when planning to get married in Montenegro: Old marriage certificates can be refused (we’ve had them refused at airports and in post offices as they were over 3 months old, so try and get a certificate issued in the last 3 months at the most) - court interpreter must confirm that you understand the registration ceremony You can’t be legally married in a church – only through a civil ceremony (which will happen at the registry office, and that is what counts, even if you choose to hold a church ceremony as well) Don’t leave booking a travel registrar until late in the day as there is a charge for their travel and you need to allow time for this when making your appointment. Generally, the marriage registration process is quite straightforward and follows the same lines as everywhere else, and with a bit of research and knowledge of the pitfalls, you too can become a real Montenegrin!

Your Montenegrin Marriage Awaits

Preparing all necessary documents and following up on each point in the exact manner requested by the authorities in Montenegro was quite time-consuming but generally very straightforward. The laws on family law in Montenegro are quite progressive for this part of the world and we have been made aware of the stunning beauty of the country which has proved to be true! The procedures for obtaining a marriage licence and carrying out a marriage ceremony and obtaining the formal marriage certificate are clearly outlined in relation to all required documentation and the procedures for obtaining an apostille for such documents, as well as the time frames and associated costs.

Preparation and understanding are key to everything. As a bridge between you and the Ecuadorian culture and legal system I translate the fine print as well as convey the unspoken expectations and traditions. I take away the anxiety and hassle while ensuring you honor local customs and laws. Making the seemingly impossible possible is my goal.

Need more assistance with any of these steps? VOWLY can assist! VOWLY will guide you through the intricate processes of an international marriage, providing you with any support you may need in order to make your Montenegrin wedding official and unforgettable.